Dear Editor: Will SSFL act on Miracle Ministries’ six substitutions against Moruga?

“[…] On Monday 4th March 2024, in a Big 5 match for promotion to the top flight (Premier League), six (6) substitutions were made by Miracle Ministries.

“The Constitution clearly states ‘a maximum of 5 substitutes are permitted’—in exceptional cases of concussion, then a sixth. Did this occur?

Miracle Ministries Pentecostal attacker Judah Chinapoo (top) is tackle by Moruga Secondary defender Diego Philip during Big 5 action at Tompierre Trace, Moruga on 4 March 2024.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

“Based on SSFL rules, the match report is the official record of games. My question is: Will SSFL act based on the official report or, again, wait until the last minute again? […]”

The following Letter to the Editor on a SSFL Big Five match between Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School (MMPHS) and Moruga Secondary, which MMPHS won 4-0, was submitted to Wired868 by Dwain G:

You would remember in the very recent past the Secondary School Football League (SSFL) was in the media for countless negative reasons, reflecting negatively on some executive members’ failure to act in a timely manner on matters involving a couple schools.

Well, here we go again! And, this may also be a familiar institution, too: Miracle Ministry Pentecostal School.

Miracle Ministries PHS coach Kern Cupid (left) urges his players on during their SSFL Central Zone Intercol semifinal win over Carapichaima East Secondary at Edinburgh 500 ground on 14 November 2023.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868

On Monday 4th March 2024, in a Big 5 match for promotion to the top flight (Premier League), six (6) substitutions were made by Miracle Ministries.

The Constitution clearly states “a maximum of 5 substitutes are permitted”—in exceptional cases of concussion, then a sixth. Did this occur?

Based on SSFL rules, the match report is the official record of games. My question is: Will SSFL act based on the official report or, again, wait until the last minute again?

Did the media spotlight for all the bad reasons create a positive steer and cause the executive to take their job seriously? Or are they going to sit back and wait for a team to protest after the league is over?

Referee Gerard Davis officiates the Big 5 contest between MMPHS and Moruga Secondary at Tompierre Trace, Moruga on 4 March 2024.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

One would want to believe things have changed in the way the executives now operate to avoid future embarrassing scenarios, but we can only wait and see. At this phase of the competition where a lot is at stake, we would hope the SSFL would act.

Editor’s Note: A Miracle Ministries Pentecostal High School (MMPHS) official said the team made six substitutes after consultation with the match commissioner and assistant referee one—as a result of their first substitution being allegedly classified as “a concussion/trauma sub”.

MMPHS midfielder Shevon Lallo was replaced in the first half after suffered a broken arm. Fifa rules permit a concussion sub but not a “trauma sub”.

Miracle Ministries Pentecostal midfielder Shevon Lallo leaves the field with a medic after suffering a broken arm during SSFL Big Five action against Moruga Secondary at Tompierre Trace, Moruga on 4 March 2024.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868

Miracle Ministries’ final change was made in second half stoppage time when Jabari Rodriguez Damani Phillander replaced attacker Jabari Rodriguez, with the Central Zone champions already leading 4-0.

MMPHS head coach is Kern Cupid, the match commissioner was Austin Perilion, and the referee and first assistant referee were Gerard Davis and Selwyn Knights respectively.

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